There are many famous restaurants in and Istanbul of the Turkish cuisine, the delicious Kebab serve, but there are also some hidden gems that may not be as well known to tourists or locals living outside of Istanbul.
Get to know the word "Ocakbaşı".
You may have never heard of the word "Ocakbaşı". Some kebab restaurants in Istanbul have names ending in “Ocakbaşı” and you may be wondering what that means.
A rough translation of Ocakbaşı in German is "at the grill" or "to sit and eat at the grill". At Ocakbaşı Restaurant, your meat and kebabs will be prepared on the huge wood fire grill.
Here are the top 10 kebab restaurants in Istanbul.
The ones listed below Rotary-Restaurants are popular with locals and usually require reservations.
1. Beyti
Mr. Beyti's dishes have had his name printed on them since the 1980s. Despite being in his 90s, the meatballs, delicious kebabs, grilled chicken and excellent T-bone steak are all made in-house under his supervision Bakirkoy Istanbul still cooked to perfection.
Address : Beyti, Şenlikköy, Florya, Orman Sk. No:6-8, 34153 Bakırköy/İstanbul, Turkey
2. Develi1912 Samatya
Besides the kebabs, they also have one of the best baklavas in Istanbul.
Address : Develi1912 Samatya, Kocamustafapaşa, Gümüş Yüksük Sk. No:7, 34098 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
3. Harbi Adana Ocakbasi
An inexpensive Ocakbaşı restaurant that serves delicious kebabs and ribs. This is a great restaurant in Ortaköy, order a bottle of Turkish Raki to order, perhaps because it complements the spectacular Bosphorus view.
Address : Harbi Adana Ocakbaşı, Ortaköy, Portakal Ykş. CD. No:2, 34347 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Turkey
4. Shehzade Cag Kebap
Just like kebabs, but cooked horizontally in a wood-fired oven instead of vertically in an electric oven, this kebab has a meatier flavor due to fewer ingredients. Only meat, fat, nothing more. This place is a meat lover's paradise.
Address : Şehzade Cağ Kebap, Hoca Paşa, Hoca Paşa Sk. No:6 D:4, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
5. Seyhmuz Kebap Salonu
Since 1975, this restaurant has been the ultimate guide to the perfect kebab kitchen. Although this looks very similar to the relaxed version of your home rotisserie, the difference is in the taste.
Address : Şeyhmuz Kebap Salonu, Mollafenari, Atik Alipaşa Medresesi Sokak 4/A, 34120 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
6. Hamdi Restaurant Eminonu
A top restaurant with a great view of Galata and Eminonu. Starters are equally wonderful, consisting of bright red muhammara, fried aubergines and vegetables tightly wrapped in tomato sauce, and haydari, which soften the rich flavor of kebabs.
Address : Hamdi Restaurant Eminönü, Rüstem Paşa Mah Tahmis Caddesi, Kalçin Sk. No:11, 34116, Turkey
7. Zubeyir Ocakbasi
The menu offers a variety of rachis, all of which complement the lively appetizers. Zübeyir Ocakbaşı is located in beyoglu very close by Partition Place.
Address : Zübeyir Ocakbaşı/Taksim, Şehit Muhtar, 28, Bekar Sk., 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
8. Fikret Yılmaz Ocakbasi
Each kebab comes with grilled tomatoes, peppers, seasonal salads and lavash so you can play the role of a chef and make your own wrap.
Address : Fikret Yılmaz Ocakbaşı, Esentepe, Salih Tozan Sk. No: 1/A, 34394 Şişli/İstanbul, Turkey
9. Kaşıbeyaz Bosphorus
Enjoying stunning views in a romantic restaurant usually means poor food quality, but that's not the case here.
Address : Yeniköy Kaşıbeyaz Bosphorus, Yeniköy, Köybaşı Cd. No:10, 34464 Sarıyer/İstanbul, Turkey
10. Ciya Kebab
Most restaurants fall into two categories: overly luxurious and sophisticated dishes, or very simple nostalgic flavors. This hidden gem on the Asian side falls in between.
Address : Çiya Sofrası, Caferağa, Güneşli Bahçe Sok, 34710 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey
The most frequently asked questions about kebabs
-
How many different types of kebabs are there?
Alone in the Turkey there are at least 110 different kebabs, each with its own unique flavor. Almost every city in Turkey has its own style of kofte and kebab.
-
What does kebab mean?
Kebab usually refers to any meat, fish, or vegetable dish that is grilled on a kebab or grilled on a grill.
-
What meat is used for kebabs?
Traditionally, lamb is used for Turkish kebabs. However, with the development of personal tastes and regional specialties, other popular meats used in Turkish kebabs have expanded to include beef, chicken, and fish.
-
What types of kebabs are there?
For example, there is Şiş Kebab (Shish Kebab), Adana Kebab, Iskender Kebab, Cağ Kebab, Patlıcan Kebab (Eggplant Kebab), Ciğer Kebab (Liver Kebab), Döner Kebab, Hünkar Beğendi (Sultan Kebab), Tandır Kebabı (Büryan), Testi Kebabı (Ceramic Kebab), Beyti Kebab, Ökertme Kebab, Fırın Kebabı (Wood Fired Kebab), Kağıt Kebabı (Paper Kebab), Kilis Kebabı (Tepsi Kebabı), Tavuk Şiş Kebab (Chicken Shish Kebab), Tokat Kebab, Yoğurtlu kebab (kebab with yoghurt), orman kebabı (forest kebab), soğan kebabı (onion kebab) and many more types and varieties of kebab.
-
What is the difference between doner kebab and doner kebab?
The word kebab describes a special way of preparing meat. If the meat is turned while grilling, it is a doner kebab.
-
What does kebab mean in German?
The veal is cut into rectangular pieces and fried (originally) in German as an abbreviation of doner kebab.
